Pigeons reveal map-reading secret

Pigeons have developed "human-like" navigating skills
Homing pigeons are finding their way around Britain by following roads and railways, zoologists claim.
They say the birds' natural magnetic and solar compasses are often less important than their knowledge of human transport routes.

A 10-year Oxford University study discovered some pigeons turn off at certain motorway junctions and use landmarks to remember where they are.

The scientists behind the study were "knocked sideways" by their findings.

'Plain to see'

The pigeons' routes were mapped to within four yards by tiny tracking devices and global positioning system technology.

Research team member Dr Tim Guilford said the results were "plain to see".

"They don't follow linear lines all the time and sometimes when they're flying at 200 or 300ft above built-up areas it's difficult to see exactly what they are following.

"But when they do follow a road, it's so obvious.

"We followed some which flew up the Oxford bypass and even turned off at particular junctions. It's very human-like."

Saving energy

Dr Guilford said pigeons' used their ability to navigate by the Sun when they were over unfamiliar territory.

He said they did not always fly "as the crow" - making diversions to follow roads home when there were more straightforward routes.

"That's the exciting thing, because we knew then there was something more important to them than just saving energy."

The team believes the birds use the technique to keep their journeys as simple as possible.

You still taking the medication RENE!!

you can tell then mate

it aint no good givin my birds a map they can't flippin read mate

Rene A wrote:

you can tell then mate

it aint no good givin my birds a map they can't flippin read mate

you can cross em with a parrot!! be able to ask way home

Rene remember in the news paper an article some years ago about Dave Allen saying that he was moving house due to the fact of a big roundabout which caused his pigeons to fly of line when they should fly over the roundabout which was straight line of flite

But it has been some time back, so there may be something in it

Big Pete

cant remeber seein that mate

Rene it was sometime back at the same time this article was printed i was a steward at the old commrades show were fanciers started to ask questions about the way they navigate

Rene will say have seen pigeons follow canals as a land mark because there owners loft was positioned close to the canal

if pigeons are flying over hills/valleys do they fly accross them in a horizontal line or up and down the dips and high points........

From what i have seen, i have never seen a pigeon fly over a hill they always fly round the lowest point, the only time they fly over the hill is if there if is situated at the top

I do believe birds use info gained along the way, I have seen them using roads around me when training...Thing is just last week I was travelling up the m4 motorway when a flock of racers was comin strieght down the road following it ...they were really low just above the lights along the middle of the motorway, I could see them coming a long way off and wre really motoring.

when it comes to the channel do thet just follow the shipping lanes then pmsl